Tag Archives: groom

“Love is Love is Love is Love is…”

Every year, for more years than I can count (or remember…), I venture out to Las Vegas for an annual photography conference called WPPI – Wedding and Portrait Photographers International. It draws 10,000+ photographers, filmmakers and photography-related businesses and vendors from all over the globe. It’s overwhelming. It’s fun. It’s educational. It’s intense. It’s…Vegas! (and, I confess…I do love Vegas. Craps, anyone?!)

Set against the backdrop of a city with no sense of night and day, it tends to be a week-long bombardment of all things photography, all day, all night…all the time. It’s a time for me to geek out without alienating my family and friends. It’s a time to work on my craft and my business, learn something new, see things from different perspectives, get out of my own head.

But, just as importantly for me, it’s a time to connect in real life with photographers and vendors, both new and old, in a way that we cannot when we work together. Or in a way we cannot because we are scattered around the world and busy in our own lives. It’s these human connections that inspire me, push me…allow me to have those geeky conversations about light and gear and techniques and business over a cocktail in the middle of the night. To spend the better part of an hour playing with reflections, twinkling Vegas lights and silhouettes to find that perfect, fun portrait (again, without alienating family and friends! Check out the result…).

“Memorial Day Wedding”

It was the most lovely August day for Nicole and David’s Memorial Day wedding weekend! Much warmer than anyone anticipated, but that didn’t stop them from the fun, celebrating their big day with family and friends.

Starting the night before with the rehearsal, the celebration traversed the city, from Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, to downtown, to Lincoln Park and finally to the Gold Coast for their reception at the historic Germania Place, a Chicago landmark.

“It’s a (my) family affair”

Full disclosure: I know the groom-to-be here very well. In fact, I’ve known him his whole life…he’s my youngest brother. And he’s getting married!!! I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry, but I’m tearing up just typing those words. I am so full of love and happiness and excitement for Jason and his fiancée Shelley that I could just BUST!

We were lucky enough to sneak in a mini engagement session a few weeks ago, on a blustery, miserable, rainy Sunday afternoon – perfect! An engagement session was something I really wanted to do with them, have a little fun, make some photos of them that, hopefully, they will enjoy for years to come (as I’m writing this, they haven’t seen the images yet, so I’m crossing my fingers that they find something in here they like…!). It’s a gift that, as a photographer, I never, ever get tired of giving. And it’s even more special when it’s for family.

“Roses are Red…”

Hellooo, February! Hearts and flowers, chocolates and champagne, Be Mine and Valentine’s Day. It’s also American Heart Month. What better time to showcase the beautiful Red Lacquer Room at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago?

It was a crisp, clear winter day for Theresa and Eduardo’s celebration and everything was sparkling – from the suites at the Palmer House to the lights at the church to State Street and Michigan Avenue and, of course, the Red Lacquer Room itself. It was magical!

“The Queen City Meets the Big Easy”

When I was in Charlotte for Caitlin + Matt’s engagement session, it was mid-July, sunny and VERY hot. Three months later, it was a whole different experience…unseasonably cold and rainy outside. But inside the Charlotte Country Club, it was warm and cozy as they prepared to become man and wife.

Every person I encountered had a huge grin plastered on their face, everyone was so happy and excited…it was contagious! And, the rain didn’t bother anyone, least of all the bride and groom.

It was also a unique day for me, as I had the honor of photographing Caitlin’s sister Whitney’s engagement and wedding a few years ago. Everyone treated me like I was family, and our shared experience made for an even more relaxed, fun day.

Here’s to #happilyeverhelgeson – congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Helgeson! (and, if you want to see even more of their wedding photos, check them out here)

“Amour + Miłość“

It had been just over a year since I photographed Yvonne and Greg’s engagement session, and now here they were! Taking their walk down the aisle to become Mr. and Mrs.

Both come from strong ethnic communities: Yvonne’s Polish, and Greg French. I really enjoyed how they managed to blend and pay homage to both of their ethnicities, from the Sausage Cart and Ketel One on every table to the Parisian-inspired menu and details at the reception.

“Three-day weekend.”

Holiday weddings can be a lot of fun! A wedding over a 3-day weekend provides guests an opportunity to explore your location, take a mini-vacation… and lets you extend the celebration of one of the biggest times in your life over several days. And one of the most popular holiday weekends for weddings is Labor Day. I myself got married on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and we had four days of merriment!

So, here’s a little celebration of two Labor Day weekend couples with whom I’ve had the honor of working. Each chose to express themselves in very different ways – vive la différence!